How do you avoid burnout in a startup?

In my experience, burnout comes from a bad fit, i.e., the wrong person in the wrong role and thus becomes untenable for that person. Or it's an issue with team leaders or senior managers focusing on the incorrect elements of the business, i.e. not taking care of their team members and driving them too hard. Ironically, with bad managers they micro manage people and also focus on the minutiae and not the big picture. People (all employees and owners) also need to exercise self-care and recognise their limits. Goals just provide an operating framework and goals change, people are a constant in the business and need to be carefully considered at the various stages of company development.

"In the fast-paced world of startups, avoiding burnout is the key to long-term success. It's not a sprint; it's a marathon." 3 questions to ask on this: What are the signs of burnout, and how can startup founders and team members recognize them early to take preventive action? What strategies and practices can be implemented within a startup to create a culture of work-life balance and mental well-being? How can founders and employees effectively manage their workloads, set realistic expectations, and prioritize tasks to reduce the risk of burnout in the high-pressure startup environment?

There is always a temptation to take on the superhero complex, setting goals that are unachievable and working around the clock. The most important thing is to set reasonable goals that can be accomplished within a specified number of hours, and then focus on maximum efficiency in how your time is spent.

#1 BE MINDFUL - it's hard to notice till you burn out #2 DON'T SETTLE ON sleeping, eating, taking your mind off work #3 STRAIN->REGAIN - rest in proportion to the effort you invested #4 MINIMIZE SELF-JUDGEMENT - we all make mistakes #5 MAXIMIZE SELF-COMPASSION - we all make mistakes! #6 ZOOM IN & OUT - look at events, decisions, relationships, and their impact now, but also think how you'll see them tomorrow #7 THINK 'SPORTS CAR', NOT 'BULLET TRAIN' - regulate your mental resources by "shifting gears", re-fueling your energy, and anticipating dangerous curves #8 SHARE - don't carry your load by yourself. Talk to a colleague, a friend, a family member, a mentor, or a therapist #9 IT CAN HAPPEN TO YOU TOO - don't think it can't...

run it like a train, don't let the engine get red hot ever! Better stop if have to for a while and let the hot engine cool down. And of course, avoid it by better planning, time management, and realistic expectations and targets. I am in the industry crunch, which is crazy, but we make it fun!

One of the problems I faced in switching from a corporate job to a startup in thinking of a 'regular' work schedule. I thought I HAD to put in 8 hours, no matter what. I forgot that I could also choose when I put in those hours. The result was chaos. Working at all times. On weekends. These days, I am learning to recognize that I can do things better in 4 hours if I am rested and emotionally in a good space than just add 8-12 hours because that's what you are supposed to do. And no work on weekends unless it's really something that absolutely can't stay until Monday. Also, learning to schedule vacation breaks. I do not have my emails on my phone. I keep a work phone with a separate number. Work and personal become separate then.

You can work 7 days per week and 365 days per year. You can make each of those days 14 hours long and you can smash on feeling stressed. But, unless you're superhuman, your effectiveness and decision-making ability will diminish over time. It'll happen gradually so you'll barely notice it and then, when you eventually do take a break, you'll realise when you get back how broken you really were and how much more effective you are thanks to your break. For the good of your start-up and your own health: Take holidays.

Working at a start up, there is always something to get done...and there is a pressure that if you don't move fast...you will lose the "race." This pressure can be very good as far are being a motivating factor to keep going, but we all know (and the research shows) that we are all more productive if we take a break. All of us strongly believe this, and we all get the time to reset and "keep the balance in our lives"...So far so good!

Not a strength but the Pareto Principle works, as in analyzing your tasks and identifying the top 20% that generate 80% of the results. Prioritize these and consider delegating or minimizing tasks that don’t contribute significantly to your goals. This definitely allows you to focus your energy on tasks that move the needle the most, optimizing both time and output.

Without hesitation time management is the ??. How you navigate your day, week, month…will dictate the success of year and life. I’ve always leaned heavy on calendars to keep me balanced for business and family. For a small business revenue rules…that is your priority list for time and everything else comes second. When the schedule says to close the lap top and be present for your family…that is non-negotiable.

Invest on finding the right mentor for you. Mentors can provide valuable advice and emotional support. Having one allows you to have a caring resource who you can regularly consult with to gain insights based on their experiences. They can offer guidance that is both practical and motivational.

In the startup journey, seeking support and feedback is indispensable in warding off burnout. It's crucial to embrace constructive criticism, fine-tune strategies, and validate decisions. Building a support network of mentors, partners or professional advisors provides valuable insights and perspectives to deal with stressors. Actively involving the team in decision-making boosts morale, encourages a collaborative culture, and strengthens bonds. It's vital to understand that need for external feedback and support isn't a weakness but a resilient approach demonstrating preparedness for learning and growth. This understanding not only prevents burnout but also sparks the firm's overall growth.

According to the latest Startup Snapshot report, only 23% of founders consider seeking professional help! Don't be one among the other 77%! From working with a therapist for quite a while now, I can say it's a real game changer. We carry so many unhealthy beliefs about ourselves and the world within us. Working through them and making the startup journey truly our own is such a relief and source of fulfillment. Bringing our ideas into the world will always be stressful, but I believe there are more healthy ways of doing it than what we do today ??

To even think about going out there for socials is hard enough but that first step counts. Meetups provides emotional support, shared experiences, and a sense of community, which can be crucial for maintaining mental well-being and preventing burnout. So, get out there, it may not feel authentic as you prepare to do so but later and you won't regret it!

Amidst startup pressures, lean into collaboration. Rather than navigating challenges alone, actively seek advice and insights from co-founders, mentors, and peers. Their experience can provide perspective, encouragement, and actionable feedback. Moreover, tap into industry-specific networks or events, either online or offline. These platforms not only foster connections but also present learning opportunities from others' journeys, ultimately helping you maintain balance and motivation in the startup ecosystem.

The best part of working in a startup is the abundance of diverse and exciting assignments/roles one can take up. Exploring and delving into work beyond usual KPIs can be refreshing and encouraging. Even better if you're able to tap into opportunities that align with your broader career goals.

?? Build, measure, and learn your way to resilience and well-being! ?? Why shouldn't the framework that works for your startup also work for your health? I constantly stay curious about myself, try new habits and routines, and collect data about my health with WHOOP! ???? By reflecting on it and discussing it with my health professionals, I learn a lot about myself and build a solid foundation for leading change with innovation!

Incorporating brief exercises like deep breathing or body scans into daily routines can help manage startup pressures, maintain focus, and stay grounded. Hence allowing more space and time to feed in that growth mindset of yours.

Be humble enough to keep learning - daily. Life is a marathon, constantly changing, and we need to adapt, pivot, and learn on a regular basis if we want to remain relevant. Work on your communication, psychology, and listening skills. They have the highest return on investment.

As a startup founder, taking care of yourself is of utmost importance to avoid burnout. The urge to constantly perform at peak levels can be overwhelming, neglecting the essential element of self-care. Prioritizing physical and mental health, inclusive of proper nutrition, regular exercise, and sufficient sleep, is non-negotiable. Additionally, practicing mindfulness and leisure activities can foster mental well-being and resilience. In essence, taking care of oneself isn't synonymous with being selfish or unproductive; it's a critical investment towards optimizing your performance, sustaining your motivation, and preventing burnout in the intense startup ecosystem.

Building a start-up is like a marathon, not a sprint. While it is important to give your 200%, remember that when you push yourself way too hard, it takes a toll on your well-being. It is okay to admit you are tired and need a break, taking rest, and enjoying your time off is not just a workplace perk, but it's a core necessity. It's during these moments of retreat that you relax, recharge, gain clarity, and come back stronger. So, Whenever you feel like things are not going your way - step away, breathe, slow down, and sit in silence, the best part, it helps you unleash your creativity and create something extraordinary.

Work-life balance is great, but in a startup environment it's more like a work-life integration. The potential for your company to become your whole identity is a dangerous thing. The biggest help for me in avoiding burnout was ensuring that my physical health was a priority. By prioritizing exercise, my energy and focus increased to the point of being able to pour into the required work-life integration far more effectively. The physical wellness also vastly supported a better mental wellness as well.

Na minha experiência, cuidar do bem-estar físico e mental pode n?o só reduzir significativamente a probabilidade de burnout, mas também aumentar a capacidade mental, tornando-nos mais aptos a lidar com níveis mais altos de carga e estresse no dia a dia. Sess?es diárias de medita??o (priorize a frequência em vez da dura??o, se necessário), uma alimenta??o que beneficie a microbiota intestinal e exercícios físicos regulares s?o passos importantes para melhorar a qualidade de vida. Por fim, o balanceamento entre vida e trabalho definitivamente n?o deve ser tratado como algo acessório. Parar, respirar e ter um tempo ocioso s?o ferramentas poderosas para renovar as energias, ter mais criatividade e manter o foco na jornada.

Defining what balance looks like to you is very important. Balance changes in all seasons of our lives, depending on the family, personal aspirations, stage of life, stage of business, etc. Balance is definitely not what the media says. Even if your "balance" today is lopsided, eg 90% work and 10% everything else, it might not be a bad thing as long as that is what you want right now. Review it regularly and ensure congruence with your preferred lifestyle.

As a startup founder, beyond previously mentioned strategies, here's what else to consider to avert burnout - cultivating a healthy work environment promoting balance, inclusivity, and open communication will likely enhance team morale and productivity. Imbibing a fail-fast, learn-fast culture promotes resilience and encourages innovation. Giving importance to regular team building and relaxation activities can also reduce stress across the organization. It's also vital to remember that entrepreneurial success is a marathon, not a sprint. Hence, patience, persistence, and maintaining a long-term perspective can help manage the pressure and prevent burnout in the intense and fast-paced startup world.

Set boundaries and learn when to disconnect and recharge. Take regular time off for activities unrelated to work. Build in daily habits like exercise to manage stress. Communicate transparently with your team and delegate tasks rather than trying to do everything solo. Ask for help when you need it; you don’t have to shoulder the full burden yourself. Build a support system of mentors, advisors or other founders you can be vulnerable with. Keep perspective on your mission and progress. With intentional prevention habits and support, you can thrive in startup life over the long-haul.

Recognize that burnout is a common challenge in startups, but overcoming it can be a straightforward process. This journey can offer invaluable wisdom and resilience, empowering you to continuously manage your responsibilities and bring joy to both yourself and others.

Some great advice here, and I'll +1 on self care and mental health, surrounding yourself in great stakeholders, and setting reasonable goals. I'll add that (1) you really need a staunch Board - not a yes-only Board, but savvy, well-capitalized, transparent, and founder-oriented, and (2) it's key not to fall victim to perusing Twitter (X) and TechCrunch and musing over other reported rounds and valuations. First, you don't know if that's the full story and second, you have to run your OWN race.